THE VICISSITUDES OF THE THEME IN DREAM SERIES

David Jenkins' dissertation examines issues in the use of dream series. He argues that the focus of dream work should be on the series rather than on the individual dream. His web site, practicaldreamwork.com has many popular explanations of his work with dreams. A slightly edited version of the dissertation can be read at David Jenkins: Dissertation

Abstract

Are dreams connected? If I dream about a dog on Monday and again on Tuesday, is there anything to be learned by looking at the contrast between the two dreams? If, on Monday, the dog bites me and, on Tuesday, I manage to get away, does this represent any kind of improvement?

While groups of dreams are often studied and compared, the development of the theme is a largely neglected topic. This dissertation explores the vicissitudes of the dream theme. What happens to the theme in the course of a number of dreams? Does the theme show development? This dissertation reviews the treatment of dream themes in psychotherapy and dream research. Apart from Jung and his followers, the dream theme receives little attention although it is often used implicitly -- for example in the study of the nightmare. An examination of Jung's work shows how Jung utilized the dream theme. The dissertation uses the dream journal of Emanuel Swedenborg from 1743 to 1744 and examines series of dreams quoted in published papers from the perspective developed in the dissertation.

Contents

Abstract *

Acknowledgments *

Contents *

Chapter 1. Introduction *

The Vicissitudes of a Dream Series *

The Place of Dream Series in Dream Interpretation Systems *

The Dream Series as Subject *

Example of a Dream Series *

Personal Reasons for Studying Dream Series *

Rationale for the Study of Dream Series *

Dissertation thesis *

Chapter 2. Literature Review *

Freud’s Consideration of Dream Series *

Jung's Views on Dream Series *

Comparison of Freud and Jung's Views on Dream Series *

Von Franz: The Dream and Psychic Development as a General Principle *

Mary Ann Mattoon: Dream Series *

Jung's Application of Dream Series Techniques *

Hall's Content Analysis *

Domhoff's Typology of Recurrent Dreams *

Chapter 3. Discussion *

Hillman: How Can Dream Series be Researched? *

The Dream Ego *

The Initial Dream *

The Nightmare *

Chapter 4. Swedenborg's "Female Figure" Dreams *

A Biography of Emanuel Swedenborg and an Introduction to his Dream Journal *

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Swedenborg as a Subject *

William Blake's Assessment of Swedenborg *

Kristine Mann: Swedenborg's Self-Analysis *

Ekstrom's Analysis of Swedenborg's Dream journal *

Van Dusen: Commentary on Swedenborg's Dreams *

An Examination of Swedenborg's Anima Dreams *

Chapter 5: Conclusion *

Quod Erat Demonstratum *

Limits of the Study *

Dream Series as a Paradigmatic Change *

Relationship Between Dream Life and Waking Life *

Analysis of the Individual Dream in the Light of Dream Series *

The Nature of Continuity in Dreams *

Future Research *

References *

Appendix A: The Initial Dreams Discussed in Jung's Individual Dream Symbolism In Relation to Alchemy *

Appendix B: The Four Dreams From Psychology and Religion. *

Appendix C: Yazmajian's Patient's Dreams *

Appendix D. Frequency Count of Swedenborg's Dream Themes *

Appendix E. Swedenborg's Dreams About Female Figures *

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Last modified: September 13, 2002